Tracee L. Friederich, DVM
Dr. Tracee Friederich has been a veterinarian at Summit Animal Hospital in Summit, IL since graduation from St. George’s University, in Grenada, West Indies in 2007. She grew up in Palos Park, Illinois, a southwestern suburb of Chicago. She attended and graduated from the University of Notre Dame, in Notre Dame, Indiana with a Bachelor of Science and Minor in Asian Studies in 2001. After finishing her clinical year at the University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007, she focused mainly on equine medicine, along with small animal medicine and surgery. In 2008, Dr. Tracee Friederich spent five months working one-on-one with an equine veterinarian gaining further experience in the field of equine medicine. Today, Dr. Tracee Friederich not only specializes in various aspects of equine medicine, such as preventative medicine, emergency colics, and field surgeries, she also focuses her career on practicing progressive small animal medicine, including extensive diagnostics and surgery, both soft-tissue and orthopedic, breeding services, and stem cell therapy. She is known city-wide and through the Midwest for her ear-cropping expertise.
Nathan W. Runke, DVM
Dr. Nathan Runke grew up in the small town of Willmar, Minnesota. He has practiced veterinary medicine at Summit Animal Hospital since April of 2012. He graduated from South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota in 2007 with a Bachelor of Animal Science. He then attended and graduated from the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine with his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2011. Dr. Nathan Runke specializes in progressive diagnostics, such as ultrasonography in veterinary medicine, in both large and small animals. He has focused his career primarily in the area of small animal medicine, but has extensive experience in equine medicine and dairy medicine. His main areas of interest include internal medicine, ultrasonography, and theriogenology.
Emily Thorson, DVM
Dr. Emily Thorson grew up in Kimberly, Wisconsin. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 2013. Following her undergraduate studies, Dr. Emily went to St. George’s University-School of Veterinary Medicine, located on the Island of Grenada. Fun fact: As an alum, Dr. Tracee interviewed Dr. Emily when she applied to St. George’s University. After finishing her first three years of veterinary school, Dr. Emily completed her clinical year at Louisiana State University and graduated with her DVM in June of 2018. Dr. Emily first completed an externship at Summit Animal Hospital before joining the team as an associate veterinarian. Her primary focus is small animal internal medicine and soft tissue surgery. Under the guidance of Dr. Tracee, she plans to expand her orthopedic surgical skills. When Dr. Emily is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her 3 dogs: Ralphie, Twix, Pancake and her 3 cats: Bricks, Cali, Steve French.
Kimberly Gobeli, DVM
Dr. Kimberly Gobeli grew up in Orland Park, Illinois. She is a 2014 graduate of the University of Minnesota where she earned a Bachelor of Animal Science with a minor in Biology. Upon graduation she returned to Illinois and joined Summit Animal Hospital as an assistant. In 2016, Dr. Kim began her studies at St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine. She spent her clinical year at the University of Florida. Dr. Kim graduated Suma Cum Laude in June 2020 and returned to Summit Animal Hospital as an associate veterinarian. She has a special interest in equine medicine, exotics, and cardiology.
Gary R. Friederich, DVM
Dr. Gary R. Friederich is originally from the small midwestern town of Pekin, Illinois. As a high school student, he worked part time at an animal hospital. The veterinarian who owned and operated the clinic became his role model. It was there Dr. Gary discovered his love of animals and his passion to work with and care for them. He attended and graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1970. Moving to Watsonville, California, he honed his veterinary skills at Pajaro Valley Veterinary Hospital that catered to large, small, equine, and exotic patients. He fondly recalls that, in one day, he had an obstetric case in every species he studied. It was at this hospital that Dr. Friederich learned the expert show dog technique of ear cropping. Upon returning to the Midwest, he located in the South Suburban Chicago area and built practices in Park Forest, Hickory Hills, and Summit, Illinois. Dr. Gary purchased Summit Animal Hospital from the hospital’s founder Dr. Leon Leonis in 1992 and was pleased to pass the ownership to his daughter, Dr. Tracee Friederich, in 2011. Even though he is semi-retired, his extensive experience makes him an invaluable partner in soft tissue, orthopedic surgery, and especially diagnostics.
Elizabeth T. Kosteck, DVM
Elizabeth T. Kosteck grew up in Orland Park, Illinois, and attended Mother McAuley High School in Chicago. She earned her Bachelor of Animal Science degree at Louisiana State University. In 2021, Dr. Lizzy graduated from St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine in Grand Cayman, Caribbean, after completing her clinical studies at the University of Illinois, Champaign. Following an externship with Dr. Tracee Friederich and the staff at Summit Animal Hospital, Dr. Lizzy joined the team as a full time associate. She appreciates the opportunity to work with the diverse caseload at SAH, but her primary focus is small animal medicine. Her keen interest is veterinary dermatology with a focus on allergies and infectious diseases. Her goal is to expand her surgical skills and incorporate physical rehabilitation and acupuncture. When Dr. Lizzy is not working, she loves spending her time with her two dogs Dottie (American Bully) and Elmer (PitBull Mix.)
Nicole L. Sterling, DVM
Nicole L. Sterling received her Bachelor of Animal Science degree from Iowa State University. She lived on a horse breeding farm and focused much of her study on domestic animal production. Before applying to veterinary school, she worked at Summit Animal Hospital gaining “hands on” experience working closely with Dr. Tracee and the clinic staff. This exposure solidified her love for veterinary medicine and Summit Animal Hospital. Dr. Nikki graduated from St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine, Grenada, West Indes, and is licensed in Veterinary Acupuncture through the Chi Institute. Her expertise is Equine Medicine, which includes dentals, colic, and lameness examinations, but she also focuses on Small Animal Internal Medicine and Surgery. When relaxing, Dr. Nikki enjoys her Rottweiler “River”, a rescue she saved from the island, caring for a retired thoroughbred “Hard Company”, and a pig who was wondering on the side of the interstate named “Juney”.